Foundation pledges $500 million more to fight childhood obesityThe Chronicle of PhilanthropyConvinced a half-billion dollar effort to reduce childhood obesity started eight years ago is beginning to work, especially with school-age kids, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on Thursday announced it would commit another $500 million to help America's children maintain a healthy weight.

USDA to cut off farm subsidies to city slickersPoliticoThe Agriculture Department is getting ready to tell a lot of people who've been getting farm subsidy checks without lifting a hay bale, swinging a pitch fork or driving a tractor that they're cut off.

The McConnell-Boehner bicameral blame gameThe Washington PostSenate Democrats this week settled into their new role as a chamber minority — filibustering three GOP attempts in three days to call up a House-passed bill that would both fund homeland security programs and rescind the president's 2012 and 2014 executive actions on immigration.

Blueberries are one of the hottest ingredients in all types of beverages. Part of the reason is health but part is also the across-the-board appeal of blueberries with consumers of all ages and with product developers who appreciate the multitude of blueberry products available year-round.

Port slowdown has damaged Western ag's export marketsCapital PressFrom potatoes and vegetables to apples and hay, growers in many parts of the West Coast are being impacted by the longshoremen work slow down at ports. Product isn't getting shipped and growers face decisions on how much to plant for 2015.

EFSA outlines priorities to 2017Food NavigatorThe European Food Safety Authority has published its work program objectives for the next three years, including opinions on acrylamide and caffeine due this year.

Ice cream cakes are selling like hot cakesBloombergBaskin-Robbins, the world's largest frozen-dessert chain, saw sales of ice cream cakes surge last quarter, helped by a new online-ordering system and burgeoning demand for the treat at kids' birthday parties.

General Mills, Kellogg respond to food blogger's protests of BHTFood Navigator-USAFood blogger Vani Hari claimed victory Wednesday after Kellogg said it was "actively testing natural alternatives" to the antioxidant BHT in cereal packaging liners and General Mills said it was "already well down the path of removing it," after she launched a petition urging them to drop it.

How food companies adapt to the gluten-free movementFood DiveIt's not just smaller niche brands making these specialty diet-friendly foods a reality. Major food corporations, such as General Mills, have added gluten-free products to their offerings as well. How are these food companies adapting to consumers' growing demand for gluten-free products?

IFF opens new Midwest facilityFood Navigator-USAInternational Flavors & Fragrances has opened a new flavors facility near Chicago to serve the food and beverage industry located in the greater Chicago area.

Florida scientists develop way to detect mislabeled fishReutersA pair of Florida scientists have developed a device they say can genetically verify whether imported fish destined for dining tables are grouper or less expensive, potentially harmful Asian catfish often passed off for the popular firm-fleshed fillets.

Cloud rides the building wave in water soluble packagingPlastics NewsWith the explosion of products packaged with water-soluble film, Cloud has seen growth in sales, manpower and manufacturing space in recent years, according to Mike Werner, vice president of sales and marketing for the firm.